Thankful Day 17

I am thankful for nice, hot showers. Whether in the morning to help me wake or in the evening to wash the day away, a shower is just right. Especially when I was fortunate enough to grab a long one. Without a kid. And then wrap up in a warm, fuzzy robe...

Thankful version 16

I am thankful for the evil, rotten, spoiled beasts I call pets. My lap is never empty of a fur ball wanting some love. The "he-he" that plays fetch and the "he-he" that climbs into anything he can find provide hours of entertainment for me and for Punky who just grins when you try to get her to say Mama or Dada, but says "he-he" (kitty) whenever she sees one... Sigh!

Bargain

Before my trip I decided to treat myself. To a new NOOKbook. I know, I know. I currently have eight books in progress and 30+ sitting on my shelf waiting to be read. But I wanted something good. Something non-clinical. Something different. I planned to spend a whole day reading on my mini vacay. So I splurged. I spent $5.00 and purchased the first book in a trilogy I've been meaning to read for months. The first book is already a movie (on DVD!) if that tells you how behind I am in my popular literature reading. I thought about purchasing books two and three for $5.99 apiece. But I didn't. What if I didn't like the book?! Wouldn't you know the very day I downloaded the book onto my NOOK, the huz happens to rent the movie from redbox! Now I have a dilemma- watch the movie before reading the book or tell the huz I refuse to watch what he picked out for us...

Watch it I did. And it only made me want to read the book more! So one day after everyone else on the trip headed out, I curled up with my NOOK and started reading. I read and read all day. Then people returned to the cabin and I put it away, already halfway through- and totally hooked! After returning home, I spent two evenings finishing the book. I just looked into purchasing book two... It now costs $9.99! So perhaps I will be borrowing the second and third...

Not since Harry have I felt so attached to the characters of the book. Even with the predictably obvious outcome, I couldn't get enough. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins receives a six on my arbitrary and completely meaningless rating scale. Check it out if you haven't. And go ahead and buy all three so you don't miss out on the bargain price!

30 Days of Thanksgiving: Day 15

I am thankful for quiet moments in the midst of the chaos of life.

My Punky is still not 100%. The croup-y cough disappeared, but a regular cough remained. Now that regular cough is sounding worse. Punky's been up at night coughing. She's off her normal nap routine. Her appetite is off....After only taking one nap yesterday, I had a cranky babe on my hands come evening. She did what she rarely does anymore- fell asleep in my arms. Finally resting, I lingered a moment before putting her in her crib. With so much on the to-do list it would have been easy to miss this moment, to rush through bedtime and on to the next thing. But, this time at least, I was able to stop and bask in the incredible miracle that is my daughter. My child who will have her first birthday in five days. The days of her falling asleep in my arms are numbered and will run out before I know it. So when you come to celebrate with us this weekend, the house may not be as clean as it should be. The decorations might not be up. The food might not be ready on time. I was busy enjoying the quiet moments in my chaos.

14th Day of Thanks

I am ever so thankful for a mini vacation. Winter Wonderland is an annual event for the girls. Sometimes a day of fun, sometimes a long weekend. This year 10 girls from three different states gathered at a cabin in Gatlinburg, TN for a few days of fun. I won't reveal our secrets, but the Christmas season kick-off was a great one this year. But I already included this in my days of thanks, in a way. So today, what I am really thankful for, is coming home. Safe and sound.

Day 13

I am thankful music. Always a tune for the mood I'm in- or to change said mood!

30 Days of Thanks: Day 12

I am thankful for the technology that helps me keep in touch with friends and family though we are spread over many time zones.

Thanks 11

I am thankful for sleep.

I've never been a good sleeper or one of those people who finds nothing better than a good nap. Not me. Naps tend to make me feel worse- more tired, groggy, and just out of it. Plus naps make my nighttime sleep even worse. But ever since having Punky and waking on HER schedule and not mine, I have learned to appreciate sleep more. It is rare that I get to sleep later than 6:15. And now even when Punk "sleeps in" till 6:45, I am awake, in bed listening for her. Or up feeding the cats. Or trying to grab a shower right quick before she wakes. I do look forward to the day when I can lounge in bed until, dare I hope for it, 7:00!

And don't get me started on the time change and what that always does to my sleep pattern...

Thankful 10

Today I am very thankful for the huz. He is a wonderful life companion. Thoughtful, charming, amusing. Loyal and honest. Hard-working with just the right amount of lazy thrown in (he's teaching me how to relax more and worry less!). And he has graciously agreed to four days alone with Punky so that I can road trip to this year's Winter Wonderland location.

Bubbles

I love this imagery:

"Sit quietly with Me, letting all your fears and worries bubble up to the surface of your consciousness. There, in the Light of My Presence, the bubbles pop and disappear."

From "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young